Hercules Trash Rates Could Increase by March

Louise B. January 23, 2013 at 03:00 pm

For those who think that we are on the right track economically, this rate increase is one of many examples that inflation is here! Of course, the city will try to get as much of the increase as possible, even though we were told that the recent sales tax increase would help get the city back on track. When are the voters going to wake up?

Susan D.Keeffe January 23, 2013 at 04:00 pm

Folks should watch the Council video - if the equipment is working. That rate increase is totally up in the air due to problems at both ends of the deal and a total lack of communication. It appears our CM refused to negotiate, Richmond Sanitary may have improperly attempted to privately lobby individual council members, and there is a 5% discrepancy between what the consultant recommended and what Richmond Sanitary wants which is an 11% increase that includes paying "bonuses" to its employees! Huh? Rate payers should pay employee bonuses? They have a lot to work out!

Susan D.Keeffe January 23, 2013 at 04:01 pm

It turns out Richmond Sanitary has a Senior Discount! Did anybody know that?

Louise B. January 23, 2013 at 05:02 pm

Susan, thanks for the info. I checked with Richmond Sanitary and they do offer a senior discount in certain areas and depending on the type of can(s) you have.

Susan D.Keeffe January 23, 2013 at 05:08 pm

I called too. In Hercules it's available right now on the brown 35 gallon cans only. I was told the discount comes from the City and negotiations and they are negotiating right now! I emailed our Council requesting the senior discount on the brown 55 gallon cans. I recommend all interested do the same - especially if we're facing an 11% rate increase!

Douglas Bright January 23, 2013 at 05:46 pm

How about they pick up the recycling each week? Every two weeks is not often enough for my family.

John Loudermilk January 23, 2013 at 06:13 pm

Perhaps I am not getting this ....... RSS has no competition? Why aren't other garbage haulers bidding on this contract? I would think if competing companies were bidding, we would be getting realistic rates instead of a 11% rate increase. Additionally, since there appears to be a senior rate, ask RSS how many seniors are paying the senior rate VS the regular rate. Let RSS refund to the seniors what they have paid beyond the senior rate. The council doesn't seem to understand that they are spending our money while also wanting to extort more via the franchise fee. This contract is not supervised. Ever notice the trash in the streets after the garbage truck works your street? Have they dumped your trash and only a portion landed in the truck while the rest is laying on the ground in front of your home. I watched them do this, ran out and told the driver to clean up his mess. I had to loan him a broom and dust pan ..... since the trucks don't have brooms and dust pans to pick up spills. When they have a spill, they simply drive away and leave it. I have called the office / supervisors out numerous times to pick up the trash that I have paid them to take away that was dumped in the street.

RJ January 23, 2013 at 06:48 pm

The senior discount has been in effect for years. Its not much, but it helps when you consider all the fee and tax increases the voters keep passing. Also, the city wants another tax and the school district is exploring another parcel tax. How much are the tax consultants going to bill Hercules for the next tax proposal? Enough already.

Louise B. January 23, 2013 at 08:11 pm

RJ, we have ill-informed and inattentive voters. If people would just review their property tax bill, they might be amazed at the amount of taxes they are already paying in addition to sales tax, utility tax, state income tax, Federal income tax. The list goes on and on. Taxpayers are made to feel guilty that we are not paying enough but no one thinks to blame the bureaucrats who are spending too much.